Meath Forum

Senior Championship Match Predictions

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Replying To latouche25:  "All the anti Kells brigade out again. I watched them and they have a very good attack average mid field and average defense, Very hard working team with great spirit. I watched Summerhill they were described by many Summerhill supporters as the weakest team from the club in living memory. Came out of a poor group with Moynalvy, Curraha and Tones, Watched that game it was dreadful, If Tones showed any ambition they would have put them to the sword. Na fianna are the surprise packet in the semi Finals. No form coming into it and hard to judge. Ratoath are the defending champions and have the form. Still only scraped over Simonstown last day out. I can't see why Kells would fear anyone there."
I wouldn't see myself as part of any anti Kells brigade. I'm just surprised that they are the favourites for the Championship. Summerhill have had some great teams in the past but I would believe those you spoke to were exaggerating a bit when they said they were the weakest from the club in living memory - they have made the last three county finals!
I'm also surprised you'd describe Kells as having ''great spirit''. They were once described to me by a rival club member as saying ''the best thing you can do is not fight with them as they'll eventually start fighting with each other''.
Does anyone have the bookies odds? I have tried to find them online and haven't been able to. I have to admit I'm hoping Na Fianna are outsiders for the semi final as I think lumping on them to win that game is the best bet left.

Triton (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 03/09/2020 13:24:30    2290380

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "Kells should not and will not fear anyone. Using the Dunshaughlin game to slate their defence isn't fair given that they were already guaranteed top spot and were hardly going to be going full tilt.
I'm not convinced by our team this year. Without the Wallaces we look quite toothless us front at times and I think the remaining teams can exploit that. Obviously delighted to have won the kind of game on Sunday and to be in another semi final, but I don't think we're playing anywhere close to the same level as last year."
Fair point, It's very hard to judge a team given they were in dead rubber. Kells were already qualified and had nothing to play for. I said last year they have the best attack in Meath and still do. For lads to come on here and slate them for having nobody on the Meath panel in laughable. Oisin Reilly is one of the best forwards in the county, Mattimo as well. Yes they have problems at the back but they make up for it with sheer hard work and will give any team their fill of it. Yes they struggled against Dunboyne early on but showed their metal and got back into the game then kicked on to win. Dunboyne were touted as favorites to lift the Keegan cup at the start.

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 540 - 03/09/2020 13:32:34    2290382

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "Kells should not and will not fear anyone. Using the Dunshaughlin game to slate their defence isn't fair given that they were already guaranteed top spot and were hardly going to be going full tilt.
I'm not convinced by our team this year. Without the Wallaces we look quite toothless us front at times and I think the remaining teams can exploit that. Obviously delighted to have won the kind of game on Sunday and to be in another semi final, but I don't think we're playing anywhere close to the same level as last year."
The way this year has gone I wouldn't rule out any of the 4 teams left in Senior. Kells have been close in both league and championship for the past few years and appear to have had a settled team over that time. Na Fianna have added some young guns Luke Kelly, Shane Walsh, Jack McNally, Ethan Devine to some of the older heads left from the 2015 losing team. Neither Summerhill nor Ratoath seem to have hit top form yet. Ratoath have a fair few of their successful 21s involved and Summerhill seem to be getting good performances out of their younger lads, Lavelle etc.
Games are now fixed for the weekend of the 19th and 20th - hopefully the Covid situation will be in hand and a few more than the 40 aside will be able to go along. I can't make my mind up on who will come through right now!!!

ASaminthehand (Meath) - Posts: 422 - 03/09/2020 14:01:52    2290397

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Replying To latouche25:  "Fair point, It's very hard to judge a team given they were in dead rubber. Kells were already qualified and had nothing to play for. I said last year they have the best attack in Meath and still do. For lads to come on here and slate them for having nobody on the Meath panel in laughable. Oisin Reilly is one of the best forwards in the county, Mattimo as well. Yes they have problems at the back but they make up for it with sheer hard work and will give any team their fill of it. Yes they struggled against Dunboyne early on but showed their metal and got back into the game then kicked on to win. Dunboyne were touted as favorites to lift the Keegan cup at the start."
I agree with your statement "For lads to come on here and slate them for having nobody on the Meath panel in laughable." In 1966 Kells won the Senior and Junior Football Championships and yet the following year had nobody on the county team that won the All Ireland, so not having players on the County team is not really a guide to a team's worth or form.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1080 - 03/09/2020 14:23:31    2290405

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Replying To Triton:  "Read the post again. I also mentioned last year and the last three years. The point is that the three other teams have pedigree of reaching or winning finals in the last decade whereas Kells have never reached a final and are not that long out of intermediate.
I'm very surprised to see they seem to be favourites for so many. They're a good team but are limited with no player good enough to make the Meath team or even panel."
The majority of the team is well able for county, Seamus Mattimoe roasted Seamus Lavin in the dunboyne Kells game while the rest of there county boys got shown up apart from Ronan Jones who was the only dunboyne man that was good.

GreenMan1994 (Meath) - Posts: 13 - 03/09/2020 16:42:57    2290434

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "Kells should not and will not fear anyone. Using the Dunshaughlin game to slate their defence isn't fair given that they were already guaranteed top spot and were hardly going to be going full tilt.
I'm not convinced by our team this year. Without the Wallaces we look quite toothless us front at times and I think the remaining teams can exploit that. Obviously delighted to have won the kind of game on Sunday and to be in another semi final, but I don't think we're playing anywhere close to the same level as last year."
Agreed I wasnt impressed with the overall standard on sunday I have never seen simonstown as toothless as this year and their level of fitness looks to be way below par they died a death again in the 2nd half while ratoath done just enough to win it wont be enough to win a championship but they could improve again. In saying all that reilly decided to completely ignore mcgills rugby tackle on mckeever in the opening minutes for whatever reason, it should have been a penalty, red card and game over from there. Cant believe people fancy na fianna to beat kells I'll be surprised if they get within 8 points they got out of a weak group which shows why semi finalists should be seeded the following year

Northsidegaels (Meath) - Posts: 241 - 03/09/2020 18:06:41    2290441

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Replying To Northsidegaels:  "Agreed I wasnt impressed with the overall standard on sunday I have never seen simonstown as toothless as this year and their level of fitness looks to be way below par they died a death again in the 2nd half while ratoath done just enough to win it wont be enough to win a championship but they could improve again. In saying all that reilly decided to completely ignore mcgills rugby tackle on mckeever in the opening minutes for whatever reason, it should have been a penalty, red card and game over from there. Cant believe people fancy na fianna to beat kells I'll be surprised if they get within 8 points they got out of a weak group which shows why semi finalists should be seeded the following year"
I agree with most of that, but what in the name of Jaysus are you talking about a "rugby tackle"? If it was the goal chance McKeever put wide, McGill put pressure on him as he took his shot to put him off balance. Not a foul. And even if it was, it wouldn't be a red card regardless. If I remember correctly, Ciaran Flynn (who's also a referee) was co-commentating on the day and said it wasn't a foul after looking at the replay.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1374 - 03/09/2020 21:21:05    2290467

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Replying To MillerX:  "I agree with your statement "For lads to come on here and slate them for having nobody on the Meath panel in laughable." In 1966 Kells won the Senior and Junior Football Championships and yet the following year had nobody on the county team that won the All Ireland, so not having players on the County team is not really a guide to a team's worth or form."
Kells have indeed some players who are as good or better than what is on the county teams and most posters who watch football without the blinkers on will know that. The championship is wide open and could go to any of the teams left with Kells high on the list.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 03/09/2020 21:49:51    2290472

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Replying To Northsidegaels:  "Agreed I wasnt impressed with the overall standard on sunday I have never seen simonstown as toothless as this year and their level of fitness looks to be way below par they died a death again in the 2nd half while ratoath done just enough to win it wont be enough to win a championship but they could improve again. In saying all that reilly decided to completely ignore mcgills rugby tackle on mckeever in the opening minutes for whatever reason, it should have been a penalty, red card and game over from there. Cant believe people fancy na fianna to beat kells I'll be surprised if they get within 8 points they got out of a weak group which shows why semi finalists should be seeded the following year"
North side Gael your talking out of your rear end. Do you go to or pay to watch any matches . Ratoath hit 0-11 V Simonstown, 1-10 V Scrin and 5-20 v Nobber

Simonstown hit 1-14 v Scrin, 0-20 V Nobber and 0-10 V Ratoath

Now that is 1-44 scored and Ratoath scored 6-41 and 5 of those goals came against Nobber. To say Simonstown are toothless shows you don't know anything about football. That's 42 scores to 47 and Ratoath are the champions. Simonstown had Ratoath on the wire for almost the entire match. Yes fitness might be have been an issue in shortened season but there scoring every bit as much as Ratoath

Talking_Sense (Meath) - Posts: 209 - 04/09/2020 00:00:41    2290485

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Replying To GreenMan1994:  "The majority of the team is well able for county, Seamus Mattimoe roasted Seamus Lavin in the dunboyne Kells game while the rest of there county boys got shown up apart from Ronan Jones who was the only dunboyne man that was good."
No he did not you utter lunatic.

Jonesy was top class as you half alluded to. Leno was flying and McCoy also, Shane Mac had one of his quieter games but nothing bad.

That was a freak game, take out the waterbreaks and Dunboyne were winning that on the bridle. As much as it kills me to say it, Ratoath by 10+ in final v Kells - ordinary team. Dunboyne were the best team this year by a distance bar 20 min collapse and paid for it again, roll on next year

dunboynelad (Meath) - Posts: 227 - 04/09/2020 03:27:46    2290491

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Replying To dunboynelad:  "No he did not you utter lunatic.

Jonesy was top class as you half alluded to. Leno was flying and McCoy also, Shane Mac had one of his quieter games but nothing bad.

That was a freak game, take out the waterbreaks and Dunboyne were winning that on the bridle. As much as it kills me to say it, Ratoath by 10+ in final v Kells - ordinary team. Dunboyne were the best team this year by a distance bar 20 min collapse and paid for it again, roll on next year"
A 20 minute collapse! That is a third of a game! Not what you would expect from the best team!

ASaminthehand (Meath) - Posts: 422 - 04/09/2020 10:07:59    2290506

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Replying To ASaminthehand:  "A 20 minute collapse! That is a third of a game! Not what you would expect from the best team!"
Would have to agree, Dunboyne did deserve to lose because you can't afford to concede 3 goals. And Kells are a very good side and they should be hammering Na Fianna. But in response to an earlier poster the point about Dunboyne's county players found out. Ronan Jones was excellent in midfield and the second best player on the pitch bar Oisin Reilly who was immense. Mattimoe scored 2 points, 1 of them a mark. And he done very well to set up Beano for his goal, but it wasn't a roasting of Seamus Lavin at all. For comparison Lenihan got 7 points, 3 of them from play and one 45 so from my viewpoint Lenihan still played better than Mattimoe or Beano. Albeit Mattimoe probably does deserve some county time. Gavin McCoy was one of Dunboynes best players and kicked 2 excellent points from wing back and was solid defensively. Shane McEntee wasn't even that bad either, Dunboyne did dominate midfield after all but got caught on the counter attack which Kells executed perfectly

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 04/09/2020 11:42:01    2290525

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Replying To GreenMan1994:  "The majority of the team is well able for county, Seamus Mattimoe roasted Seamus Lavin in the dunboyne Kells game while the rest of there county boys got shown up apart from Ronan Jones who was the only dunboyne man that was good."
All I'll say is that Kells better win the championship now because they are talking an awful lot for a team who had consistently failed in semi and quarter finals. I want them or Summerhill to win it because both have been close for the last few years. But if Kells don't win it you can expect a lot of backlash on the forum I think haha

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 04/09/2020 11:45:48    2290526

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Replying To LeitrimRoyal99:  "All I'll say is that Kells better win the championship now because they are talking an awful lot for a team who had consistently failed in semi and quarter finals. I want them or Summerhill to win it because both have been close for the last few years. But if Kells don't win it you can expect a lot of backlash on the forum I think haha"
Agreed. Kells owe themselves a championship. They've been playing some of (if not the best) football in the county for years. The history of collapse in qtr.finals and semi-finals does cast a grey shadow however. If they don't win this year they should just forget about it altogether because they'll never be allowed live it down.

Right at the edge of the pale, its the black sheep town of the county and always was. Plenty of the team are capable of playing county in my opinion, and would be at home with the standard of the current county panel, but yet they've nobody involved at all in spite of consistent competition over many years. Even within the town itself they're a relatively unpopular club aside from traditional die-hards. That being said, the club deserves a championship win.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 596 - 04/09/2020 14:08:23    2290549

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Replying To dunboynelad:  "No he did not you utter lunatic.

Jonesy was top class as you half alluded to. Leno was flying and McCoy also, Shane Mac had one of his quieter games but nothing bad.

That was a freak game, take out the waterbreaks and Dunboyne were winning that on the bridle. As much as it kills me to say it, Ratoath by 10+ in final v Kells - ordinary team. Dunboyne were the best team this year by a distance bar 20 min collapse and paid for it again, roll on next year"
The best team by a distance and they cant get out of the group for the second year running.
You say Kells are a very ordinary team and Ratoath will win by 10+ but yet you cant beat Kells and put it down to water breaks?
It is not really adding up is it?

Thats 2 years in a row they couldn't get out of the group, they'll have to go back to transfer market again this winter.

Maestro (Meath) - Posts: 584 - 04/09/2020 14:25:23    2290557

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There's 2 lads in Ratoath you should approach, or maybe you already have. It wouldn't be the first time.

latouche25 (Meath) - Posts: 540 - 04/09/2020 15:42:10    2290570

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Replying To Maestro:  "The best team by a distance and they cant get out of the group for the second year running.
You say Kells are a very ordinary team and Ratoath will win by 10+ but yet you cant beat Kells and put it down to water breaks?
It is not really adding up is it?

Thats 2 years in a row they couldn't get out of the group, they'll have to go back to transfer market again this winter."
Yeah I'd ignore this lad tbh doesn't seem like he has a clue. Dunboyne have the talent on paper and did back it up in 2018. But their results especially in 2019 and the performance against Kells this year haven't been up to that level. Kells are a very good team. If themselves and Dunboyne played 10 times it'd be a toss up as to who'd win. Dunboyne got the breaks with Beano's missed free in 2018. Kells got the breaks this year (literally with the 2nd half water break) and Dunboyne missing goal chances. On the balance of those 2 games I think it's fair enough that it's 1-1

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1527 - 04/09/2020 16:12:22    2290575

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Replying To Maestro:  "The best team by a distance and they cant get out of the group for the second year running.
You say Kells are a very ordinary team and Ratoath will win by 10+ but yet you cant beat Kells and put it down to water breaks?
It is not really adding up is it?

Thats 2 years in a row they couldn't get out of the group, they'll have to go back to transfer market again this winter."
Andy must know a few more lads around the country willing to transfer in ?

head4dblackspot (Meath) - Posts: 513 - 04/09/2020 19:46:33    2290600

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Replying To Young_gael:  "Agreed. Kells owe themselves a championship. They've been playing some of (if not the best) football in the county for years. The history of collapse in qtr.finals and semi-finals does cast a grey shadow however. If they don't win this year they should just forget about it altogether because they'll never be allowed live it down.

Right at the edge of the pale, its the black sheep town of the county and always was. Plenty of the team are capable of playing county in my opinion, and would be at home with the standard of the current county panel, but yet they've nobody involved at all in spite of consistent competition over many years. Even within the town itself they're a relatively unpopular club aside from traditional die-hards. That being said, the club deserves a championship win."
You say their well capable of playing county but Andy never gives them a call up or let's any of them in for a few games to see how their quality is playing county football.

MeathGaa2004 (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 04/09/2020 23:11:46    2290619

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Kells playing good stuff at the moment

MeathGaa2004 (Meath) - Posts: 25 - 04/09/2020 23:15:42    2290621

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